With the much-anticipated release of the iPhone 5 less than two days away, the Apple Store in the Mall in Columbia is preparing for the horde of customers expected to flood the Mall early Friday morning.

According to a mall spokeswoman, doors will open to the Mall in Columbia at 6 a.m. Friday, and the Apple Store will open at 8 a.m.

Apple announced the release of the sixth generation iPhone on Sept. 12.

According to Apple's website, the iPhone 5 will feature an increased display screen, faster Internet speed, longer battery life, and a more vibrant screen.

Apple is also boasting that the phone is the lightest, fastest, iPhone ever stating it is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4, which was released in 2010.

The phone will be available in both black and white, and will be carried by AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

Depending on how many gigabytes it holds, the iPhone 5 will cost from $199 to $399.